Los Angeles Clippers Chris Paul Dallas Mavericks
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As the deadline approaches, the Mavericks quietly emerge as a potential Chris Paul suitor ahead of his uncertain future.
More drama from the Chris Paul and Los Angeles Clippers fallout is coming after the legend recently retired from the NBA. Paul rubbed the Clippers management the wrong way to see the shocking news of the team sending the legend home months ago. The hope for Paul to retire with a franchise synonymous with his legacy ended poorly. Paul was traded to the Toronto Raptors and waived to officially end his two-decade long career.
An interview with Carmelo Anthony’s podcast saw Paul sharing a story about the team getting mad at him for giving health advice in training camp:
“I believe in communication. It was wild. I’m not a hoarder of information. To have teammates come ask me ironically ‘Yo C, how you stay so healthy?’
I had teammates ask me that during training camp. I talked to one of my teammates for a little while and then soon as I went to the meal room somebody came and told me that they didn’t want me giving players advice like that.”
Paul referenced getting in trouble for giving harmless advice about the health side of basketball. Other players asking a long-tenured veteran about advice makes sense, but Clippers management stopped him from giving any advice to his teammates.
Chris Paul Had Issue From Training Camp
The wildest part of this story features the timing of the issues starting all the way back in training camp. Paul butted heads with the Clippers front office going back to before the season even started.
It is a surprising story since most NBA legends joining a roster in their older years are expected to give advice to younger players. Paul is already considered the greatest Clipper in franchise history to a large percentage of basketball followers to make him even more important to the NBA franchise.
Unfortunately, Paul learned quickly that the current franchise decision makers didn’t want him to provide his form of leadership. Reports of more detailed stories featuring Paul “crossing lines” that clashed with coaching to end the relationship. Paul was confused at various points of this Clippers tenure about what upset the team.
Clippers Feared Chris Paul’s Reputation
Paul has a reputation for being a polarizing NBA mind, but it usually plays out in the form of his rivals. The Clippers feared that Paul would use his legendary status and respect from other players to influence the younger talents on the roster.
One rumored interaction featured assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy approaching Paul after he allegedly suggested a player do something that differed from the coaching staff. Paul butting heads with Lue, Van Gundy, and other coaches on the roster led to his career getting cut short by the franchise.
Player polls often see Paul listed as the player most likely to be a good coach in the league one day. Retirement means that Paul could chase a coaching career as the next step in his basketball career. The potential of Paul coaching against Lue and the Clippers could make for must-watch television if this happens.